Process for the alkoxylation of monools in the presence of metallo-organic framework materials

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a process for the alkoxylation of a monool with at least one alkoxylating agent to an alkoxylated alcohol wherein a catalyst is employed which comprises a metallo-organic framework material of metal ions and at least bidentate coordinately bound organic ligands.

The present application is a continuation application of U.S. Ser. No. 10/611,863, filed on Jul. 3, 2003, which is abandoned.

The present invention relates to a process for the alkoxylation of monools in the presence of catalyst systems comprising a porous metallo-organic framework material of metal ions and a coordinately bound organic ligand which is at least bidentate. The invention further encompasses the use of polyoxyalkylene alcohols obtained in the process according to the present invention as tensides and flotation oils.

Polyoxyalkylene alcohols can be prepared e.g. by way of base or acid catalyzed polyaddition of alkaline oxides to polyfunctional organic compounds (starters). Suitable starters are e.g. water, alcohols, acids or amines or mixtures thereof which are selected according to the alcohol to be prepared. The drawback of the known preparation methods is that several elaborate purifying steps are necessary in order to separate the catalyst residue from the reaction product. Furthermore, the processes known in the art result in a mixture of various alkoxylation products, ranging from mono- to polyalkoxylated alcohols.

One object of the invention is to provide a process for the preparation of polyoxyalkylene alcohols from monools which does not show the drawbacks of the processes known in the art. In particular, the thus-obtained polyoxyalkylene alcohols should have a low impurity content, without requiring elaborate purifying steps of the starting materials and/or intermediate products. The process should furthermore not require elaborate purification steps in order to separate the catalyst from the reaction product(s). In particular, the process should give defined alkoxylation products with a defined alkoxylation range.

These objects are solved by a process for the alkoxylation of a monool with at least one alkoxylating agent to a polyoxyalkylene alcohol wherein a catalyst is employed which comprises a metallo-organic framework material of metal ions and at least bidentate coordinately bound organic ligands.

The present invention is drawn towards the alkoxylation of monools which are reacted with an alkoxylating agent, in general an alkylene oxide. Examples for monools which lend themselves for an alkoxylation according to the present invention are known to the person skilled in the art. Examples include monools of linear and branched alkyl groups having 1 to 30, preferably 1 to 20, in particular 1 to 15 carbon atoms, which alkyl groups may carry one or more aryl substituents, of homo- and polynuclear aromatic groups having 4 to 30, preferably 4 to 20, in particular 1 to 10 carbon atoms, which aromatic groups may carry one or more alkyl substituents, and of linear and branched alkenyl groups having 2 to 30, preferably 2 to 20, in particular 2 to 15 carbon atoms and which alkenyl groups may carry one or more aryl substituents. The alkyl, alkenyl and aryl groups may contain one or more hetero atoms in their carbon skeleton, and all said groups may carry one or more substituents other than those named. Examples for hetero atoms include N, O and S. Examples for substituents include halides and pseudohalides. Preferred alcohols should be liquid at room temperature.

Examples for preferred alcohols include Propylheptanol, Tridecanol H und Tridecanol N.

The alkoxylating agent is in general selected from epoxides having two to 30 carbon atoms and mixtures of two or more thereof. Preferably a linear or branched, cyclic or non-cyclic alkylene oxide having two to 24 C-atoms optionally carrying one or more substituents from the group consisting of aromatic groups, halides, hydroxyl groups, silyl groups, non-cyclic ether and ammonium groups is employed.

For the preferred group of alkylene oxides, the following are cited by way of example: ethylene oxide, 1,2-epoxypropane, 1,2-epoxy-2-methylpropane, 1,2-epoxybutane, 2,3-epoxybutane, 1,2-epoxy-3-methylbutane, 1,2-epoxypentane, 1,2-epoxy-3-methylpentane, 1,2-epoxyhexane, 1,2-epoxyheptane, 1,2-epoxyoctane, 1,2-epoxynonane, 1,2-epoxydecane, 1,2-epoxyundecane, 1,2-epoxydodecane, 1,2-epoxycyclopentane, 1,2-epoxycyclohexane, (2,3-epoxypropyl)benzene, vinyloxirane, 3-phenoxy-1,2-epoxypropane, 2,3-epoxymethyl ether, 2,3-epoxylethyl ether, 2,3-epoxyl isopropyl ether, 2,3-epoxyl-1-propanol, (3,4-epoxybutyl)stearate, 4,5-epoxypentylacetate, 2,3-epoxy propane methacrylate, 2,3-epoxy propane acrylat, glycidylbutyrate, methylglycidate, ethyl-2,3-epoxybutanoate, 4-(trimethylsilyl)butane-1,2-epoxide, 4-(triethylsilyl)butane-1,2-epoxide, 3-(perfluoromethyl)propane oxide, 3-(perfluoroethyl)propane oxide, 3-(perfluorobutyl)propane oxide, 4-(2,3-epoxypropyl)morpholine, 1-(oxirane-2-ylmethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one, styrene oxide, vinyl oxirane, aliphatic 1,2-alkylene oxides having 5 to 24 C-atoms, cyclopentane oxide, cyclohexane oxide, cyclododecatriane-(1,5,9)-monoxide and mixtures of two or more of the compounds cited.

Particularly preferred in the context of the present invention are ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, 1,2-epoxybutane, 2,3-epoxybutane, 1,2-epoxy-2-methylpropane, styrene oxide, vinyloxirane and any mixtures of two or more of the compounds cited. The most preferred epoxides are ethylene oxide, propylene oxide and mixtures of ethylene oxide with propylene oxide.

The process of preparing an epoxide by epoxidation is hereinafter described in detail by way of example, referring to propylene oxide.

Propylene oxide can be obtained by reacting propylene with oxygen; hydrogen and oxygen; hydrogen peroxide; organic hydroperoxides; or halohydrines, preferably by reacting propylene with hydrogen peroxide, more preferred by reacting propylene with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a catalyst comprising a zeolithic material, particularly by reacting propylene with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a catalyst comprising a titanium-containing zeolithic material having CS-1-structure.

It is particularly suitable to use hydrogen peroxide for the epoxidation.

The epoxidation is in principle known from e.g. DE 100 55 652.3 and further patent applications of the present applicant, such as DE 100 32 885.7, DE 100 32 884.9, DE 100 15 246.5, DE 199 36 547.4, DE 199 26 725.1, DE 198 47 629.9, DE 198 35 907.1, DE 197 23 950.1, the content of which fully encompassed in the present application.

The alkoxylating agent obtained in the epoxidation step may be directly used without further treatment. It is, however, also possible within the present invention that the alkoxylating agent is treated beforehand, e.g. purified. As the purification method, mention can be made of a fine distillation. Suitable processes are e.g. disclosed in EP-B 0 557 116.

According to the present invention the alkoxylation reaction is carried out in the presence of a catalyst system which comprises a so called metallo-organic framework material.

Metal-organic framwork materials are known as such. They are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,648,508, EP-A-0 709 253, M. O'Keeffe et al., J. Sol. State Chm., 152 (2000) p. 3–20, H. Li et al., Nature 402 (1999) p. 276 seq., M. Eddaoudi et al., Topics in Catalysis 9 (1999) p. 105–111, B. Chen. Et al., Science 291 (2001) p. 1021–23. An inexpensive way for the preparation of said materials is disclosed in DE 101 11 230.0. The preparation of isoreticular MoF's is disclosed in WO 02/088148. The content of the above-mentioned publications and applications to which reference is made herein, is fully incorporated in present application.

The metal-organic framework materials, as used in the present invention, comprise pores, particularly micro- and/or mesopores. Micropores are defined as pores having a diameter of 2 nm or below and mesopores as being pores having a diameter in the range of above 2 nm to 50 nm, respectively, according to the definition given in Pure Applied Chem. 45, p. 71 seq., particularly on p. 79 (1976). The presence of the micro- and/or mesopores can be monitored by sorption measurements for determining the capacity of the metal-organic framework materials to take up nitrogen at 77 K according to DIN 66131 and/or DIN 66134. The specific surface areas cited in the context of the present invention are always determined according to DIN 66131 and/or DIN 66134.

For example, a type-1-form of the isothermal curve indicates the presence of micropores [see, for example, paragraph 4 of M. Eddaoudi et al., Topics in Catalysis 9 (1999)]. In a preferred embodiment, the specific surface area, as calculated according to the Langmuir model (DIN 66131, 66134) preferably is above 5 m²/g, further preferred above 10 m²/g, more preferably above 50 m²/g, particularly preferred above 500 m²/g and may increase to values of 3000 m²/g.

The metal ions forming the metal-organic framework material employed according to the present invention are preferably selected from the groups Ia, IIIa, IIIa, IVa to VIIIa and Ib to VIb of the periodic system of the elements. Among these metals, particular reference is made to Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Sc, Y, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Re, Fe, Ru, Os, Co, Rh, Ir, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag, Au, Zn, Cd, Hg, Al, Ga, In, Tl, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, As, Sb, and Bi, more preferably Zn, Cu, Ni, Pd, Pt, Ru, Rh and Co. With respect to the metal ions of the aforementioned elements, particular reference is made to: Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺, Sc³⁺, Y³⁺, Ti⁴⁺, Zr⁴⁺, Hf⁴⁺, V⁴⁺, V³⁺, ^(V2+), Nb³⁺, Ta³⁺, Cr³⁺, Mo³⁺, W³⁺, Mn³⁺, Mn³⁺, Mn²⁺, Re³⁺, Re²⁺, Fe³⁺, Fe²⁺, Ru³⁺, Ru²⁺, Os³⁺, OS²⁺, Co³⁺, Co²⁺, Rh²⁺, Rh⁺, Ir²⁺, Ir⁺, Ni²⁺, Ni⁺, Pd²⁺, Pd⁺, Pt²⁺, Pt⁺, Cu²⁺, Cu⁺, Ag⁺, Au⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, Al³⁺, Ga³⁺, In³⁺, Tl³⁺, Si⁴⁺, Si²⁺, Ge⁴⁺, Ge²⁺, Sn⁴⁺, Sn²⁺, Pb⁴⁺, Pb²⁺, As⁵⁺, As³⁺, As⁺, Sb⁵⁺, Sb³⁺, Sb⁺, Bi⁵⁺, Bi³⁺ and Bi⁺.

With regard to the preferred metal ions and further details regarding the same, we particularly refer to: EP-A 0 790 253, particularly p. 10, 1. 8–30, section “The Metal Ions”, which section is incorporated herein by reference.

In addition to the metal salts disclosed in EP-A 0 790 253 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,648,508, other metallic compounds can be used, such as sulfates, phosphates and other compolex counter-ion metal salts of the main- and subgroup metals of the periodic system of the elements. Metal oxides, mixed oxides and mixutres of metal oxides and/or mixed oxides with or without a defined stoichiometry are preferred. All of the above mentioned metal compounds can be soluble or insoluble and they may be used as starting material either in form of a powder or as a shaped body or as any combination thereof.

The at least bidentate organic ligands present in the metall-organic framework material are capable of coordinating to the metal ion. Such ligands are known to the person skilled in the art. The at least bidentate organic ligand, is preferably selected from:

-   i) alkyl groups having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, -   ii) aryl groups having from 1 to 5 phenyl rings, -   iii) alkyl and aryl amines carrying one or more alkyl groups having     from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and/or one or more aryl groups having from     1 to 5 phenyl rings,     which are covalently substituted by at least one functional group X     which can coordinately bind to the metal ion and which is selected     from the group consisting of -   CO₂H, CS₂H, NO₂, SO₃H, Si(OH)₃, Ge(OH)₃, Sn(OH)₃, Si(SH)₄, Ge(SH)₄,     Sn(SH)₃, PO₃H, AsO₃H, AsO₄H, P(SH)₃, As(SH)₃, CH(RSH)₂, C(RSH)₃,     CH(RNH₂)₂, C(RNH₂)₃, CH(ROH)₂, C(ROH)₃, CH(RCN)₂, C(RCN)₃, wherein R     is an alkyl group having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, or an aryl group     consisting of 1 to 2 phenyl rings, and CH(SH)₂, C(SH)₃, CH(NH₂)₂,     C(NH₂)₂, CH(OH)₂, C(OH)₃, CH(CN)₂ and C(CN)₃. WO 02/088148 discloses     bidentate organic ligand from the group of aromatic compounds which     can carry one or more substituents. The content of WO 02/088148,     pages 8–14 is herein fully incorporated by reference.

Particularly to be mentioned are substituted and unsubstituted aliphatic α, ω-dicarboxylic acids, substituted or unsubstituted, mono- or polynuclear aromatic di-, tri- and tetracarboxylic acids and substituted or unsubstituted, aromatic di-, tri- and tetracarboxylic acids, having one or more nuclei, and carying at least one hetero atom

Preferred ligands are selected from 1,3,5-benzene tricarboxylic acid (BCT), NDC (naphthalene dicarboxylate), BDC (benzene dicarboxylate), BTC (benzene tricarboxylate), BTB (benzene tribenzoate), and DHBC (2,5-dihydroxyterephtalic acid).

DHBC is the most preferred ligand. Besides the at least bidentate organic ligand, the framework material as used in accordance with the present invention may also comprise one or more monodentate ligands, which are preferably selected from the following monodentate substances and/or derivatives thereof:

-   a. alkyl amines and their corresponding alkyl ammonium salts,     containing linear, branched, or cyclic aliphatic groups, having from     1 to 20 carbon atoms (and their corresponding ammonium salts); -   b. aryl amines and their corresponding aryl ammonium salts having     from 1 to 5 phenyl rings; -   c. alkyl phosphonium salts, containing linear, branched, or cyclic     aliphatic groups, having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; -   d. aryl phosphonium salts, having from 1 to 5 phenyl rings; -   e. alkyl organic acids and the corresponding alkyl organic anions     (and salts) containing linear, branched, or cyclic aliphatic groups,     having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; -   f. aryl organic acids and their corresponding aryl organic anions     and salts, having from 1 to 5 phenyl rings; -   g. aliphatic alcohols, containing linear, branched, or cyclic     aliphatic groups, having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; -   h. aryl alcohols having from 1 to 5 phenyl rings; -   i. inorganic anions from the group consisting of:     -   sulfate, nitrate, nitrite, sulfite, bisulfite, phosphate,         hydrogen phosphate, dihydrogen phosphate, diphosphate,         triphosphate, phosphate, phosphite, chloride, chlorate, bromide,         bromate, iodide, iodate, carbonate, bicarbonate, and the         corresponding acids and salts of the aforementioned inorganic         anions, -   j. ammonia, carbon dioxide, methane, oxygen, ethylene, hexane,     benzene, toluene, xylene, chlorobenzene, nitrobenzene, naphthalene,     thiophene, pyridine, acetone, 1-2-dichloroethane, methylenechloride,     tetrahydrofuran, ehtanolamine, triethylamine and     trifluoromethylsulfonic acid.

Further details regarding the at least bidentate organic ligand and the mono-dentate substances, from which the ligands of the framework material as used in the present application are derived, may be deduced from EP-A 0 790 253, whose respective content is incorporated into the present application by reference.

Within the present application, framework materials of the kind described herein, which comprise Zn2⁺ as a metal ion and ligands derived from terephthalic acid as the bidentate ligand, are particularly preferred.

Further metal ions, at least bidentate and monodentats organic ligands which are useful for the preparation of the framework materials used in the present invention as well as processes for their preparation are particularly disclosed in EP-A 0 790 253, U.S. Pat. No. 5,648,508 and DE 10111230.0.

As solvents, which are particularly useful for the preparation of MOF-5, in addition to the solvents disclosed in the above-referenced literature dimethyl formamide, diethyl formamide and N-methylpyrrolidone, alone, in combination with each other or in combination with other solvents may be used. Within the preparation of the framework materials, particularly within the preparation of MOF-5, the solvents and mother liquors can be recycled after crystallization.

The pore sizes of the metal-organic framework can be adjusted by selecting suitable bidendate ligands (=linkers). Generally, the larger the linker, the larger the pore size. Any pore size that is still supported by a the metal-organic framework in the absence of a host and at temperatures of at least 200° C. is conceivable. Pore sizes ranging from 0,2 nm to 30 nm are preferred, with pore sizes ranging from 0,3 nm to 3 nm being particularly preferred.

In the following, examples of metal-organic framework materials (MOFs) are given to illustrate the general concept given above. These specific examples, however, are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

By way of example, a list of metal-organic framework materials already synthesized and characterized is given below. This also includes novel isoreticular metal organic framework materials (IR-MOFs), which may be used in the context of the present application. Such materials having the same framework topology while displaying different pore sizes and crystal densities are described, for example in M. Eddouadi et al., Science 295 (2002) 469, whose respective content is incorporated into the present application by reference.

The solvents used are of particular importance for the synthesis of these materials and are therefore mentioned in the table. The values for the cell parameters (angles Δ, E and θ as well as the spacings a, b and c, given in Angstrom) have been obtained by x-ray diffraction and represent the space group given in the table as well.

Ingredients molar ratios Space MOF-n M + L Solvents α β γ a b c Group MOF-0 Zn(NO₃)₂.6H₂O Ethanol 90 90 120 16.711 16.711 14.189 P6(3)/ H₃(BTC) Mcm MOF-2 Zn(NO₃)₂.6H₂O DMF 90 102.8 90 6.718 15.49 12.43 P2(1)/n (0.246 mmol) Toluene H₂(BDC) 0.241 mmol) MOF-3 Zn(NO₃)₂.6H₂O DMF 99.72 111.11 108.4 9.726 9.911 10.45 P-1 (1.89 mmol) MeOH H₂(BDC) (1.93 mmol) MOF-4 Zn(NO₃)₂.6H₂O Ethanol 90 90 90 14.728 14.728 14.728 P2(1)3 (1.00 mmol) H₃(BTC) (0.5 mmol) MOF-5 Zn(NO₃)₂.6H₂O DMF 90 90 90 25.669 25.669 25.669 Fm-3m (2.22 mmol) Chlorobenzene H₂(BDC) (2.17 mmol) MOF-38 Zn(NO₃)₂.6H₂O DMF 90 90 90 20.657 20.657 17.84 I4cm (0.27 mmol) Chlorobenzene H₃(BTC) (0.15 mmol) MOF-31 Zn(NO₃)₂.6H₂O Ethanol 90 90 90 10.821 10.821 10.821 Pn(−3)m Zn(ADC)₂ 0.4 mmol H₂(ADC) 0.8 mmol MOF-12 Zn(NO₃)₂.6H₂O Ethanol 90 90 90 15.745 16.907 18.167 Pbca Zn₂(ATC) 0.3 mmol H₄(ATC) 0.15 mmol MOF-20 Zn(NO₃)₂.6H₂O DMF 90 92.13 90 8.13 16.444 12.807 P2(1)/c ZnNDC 0.37 mmol Chlorobenzene H₂NDC 0.36 mmol MOF-37 Zn(NO₃)₂.6H₂O DEF 72.38 83.16 84.33 9.952 11.576 15.556 P-1 0.2 mmol Chlorobenzene H₂NDC 0.2 mmol MOF-8 Tb(NO₃)₃.5H₂O DMSO 90 115.7 90 19.83 9.822 19.183 C2/c Tb₂ (ADC) 0.10 mmol MeOH H₂ADC 0.20 mmol MOF-9 Tb(NO₃)₃.5H₂O DMSO 90 102.09 90 27.056 16.795 28.139 C2/c Tb₂ (ADC) 0.08 mmol H₂ADB 0.12 mmol MOF-6 Tb(NO₃)₃.5H₂O DMF 90 91.28 90 17.599 19.996 10.545 P21/c 0.30 mmol MeOH H₂ (BDC) 0.30 mmol MOF-7 Tb(NO₃)₃.5H₂O H₂O 102.3 91.12 101.5 6.142 10.069 10.096 P-1 0.15 mmol H₂(BDC) 0.15 mmol MOF-69A Zn(NO₃)₂.6H₂O DEF 90 111.6 90 23.12 20.92 12 C2/c 0.083 mmol H₂O₂ 4,4′BPDC MeNH₂ 0.041 mmol MOF-69B Zn(NO₃)₂.6H₂O DEF 90 95.3 90 20.17 18.55 12.16 C2/c 0.083 mmol H₂O₂ 2,6-NCD MeNH₂ 0.041 mmol MOF-11 Cu(NO₃)₂.2.5H₂O H₂O 90 93.86 90 12.987 11.22 11.336 C2/c Cu₂(ATC) 0.47 mmol H₂ATC 0.22 mmol MOF-11 90 90 90 8.4671 8.4671 14.44 P42/ Cu₂(ATC) mmc dehydr. MOF-14 Cu(NO₃)₂.2.5H₂O H₂O 90 90 90 26.946 26.946 26.946 Im-3 Cu₃ (BTB) 0.28 mmol DMF H₃BTB EtOH 0.052 mmol MOF-32 Cd(NO₃)₂.4H₂O H₂O 90 90 90 13.468 13.468 13.468 P(−4)3m Cd(ATC) 0.24 mmol NaOH H₄ATC 0.10 mmol MOF-33 ZnCl₂ H₂O 90 90 90 19.561 15.255 23.404 Imma Zn₂ (ATB) 0.15 mmol DMF H₄ATB EtOH 0.02 mmol MOF-34 Ni(NO₃)₂.6H₂O H₂O 90 90 90 10.066 11.163 19.201 P2₁2₁2₁ Ni(ATC) 0.24 mmol NaOH H₄ATC 0.10 mmol MOF-36 Zn(NO₃)₂.4H₂O H₂O 90 90 90 15.745 16.907 18.167 Pbca Zn₂ (MTB) 0.20 mmol DMF H₄MTB 0.04 mmol MOF-39 Zn(NO₃)₂ 4H₂O H₂O 90 90 90 17.158 21.591 25.308 Pnma Zn₃O(HBTB) 0.27 mmol DMF H₃BTB EtOH 0.07 mmol NO305 FeCl₂.4H₂O DMF 90 90 120 8.2692 8.2692 63.566 R-3c 5.03 mmol formic acid 86.90 mmol NO306A FeCl₂.4H₂O DEF 90 90 90 9.9364 18.374 18.374 Pbcn 5.03 mmol formic acid 86.90 mmol NO29 Mn(Ac)₂.4H₂O DMF 120 90 90 14.16 33.521 33.521 P-1 MOF-0 like 0.46 mmol H₃BTC 0.69 mmol BPR48 Zn(NO₃)₂ 6H₂O DMSO 90 90 90 14.5 17.04 18.02 Pbca A2 0.012 mmol Toluene H₂BDC 0.012 mmol BPR69 Cd(NO₃)₂ 4H₂O DMSO 90 98.76 90 14.16 15.72 17.66 Cc B1 0.0212 mmol H₂BDC 0.0428 mmol BPR92 Co(NO₃)₂.6H₂O NMP 106.3 107.63 107.2 7.5308 10.942 11.025 P1 A2 0.018 mmol H₂BDC 0.018 mmol BPR95 Cd(NO₃)₂ 4H₂O NMP 90 112.8 90 14.460 11.085 15.829 P2(1)/n C5 0.012 mmol H₂BDC 0.36 mmol CuC₆H₄O₆ Cu(NO₃)₂.2.5H₂O DMF 90 105.29 90 15.259 14.816 14.13 P2(1)/c 0.370 mmol Chlorobenzene H₂BDC(OH)₂ 0.37 mmol M(BTC) Co(SO₄) H₂O DMF Same as MOF-0 MOF-0like 0.055 mmol H₃BTC 0.037 mmol Tb(C₆H₄O₆) Tb(NO₃)₃.5H₂O DMF 104.6 107.9 97.147 10.491 10.981 12.541 P-1 0.370 mmol chlorobenzene H₂(C₆H₄O₆) 0.56 mmol Zn(C₂O₄) ZnCl₂ DMF 90 120 90 9.4168 9.4168 8.464 P(−3)1m 0.370 mmol chlorobenzene oxalic acid 0.37 mmol Co(CHO) Co(NO₃)₂.5H₂O DMF 90 91.32 90 11.328 10.049 14.854 P2(1)/n 0.043 mmol formic acid 1.60 mmol Cd(CHO) Cd(NO₃)₂.4H₂O DMF 90 120 90 8.5168 8.5168 22.674 R-3c 0.185 mmol formic acid 0.185 mmol Cu(C₃H₂O₄) Cu(NO₃)₂.2.5H₂O DMF 90 90 90 8.366 8.366 11.919 P43 0.043 mmol malonic acid 0.192 mmol Zn₆(NDC)₅ Zn(NO₃)₂.6H₂O DMF 90 95.902 90 19.504 16.482 14.64 C2/m MOF-48 0.097 mmol chlorobenzene 14 NDC H₂O₂ 0.069 mmol MOF-47 Zn(NO₃)₂ 6H₂O DMF 90 92.55 90 11.303 16.029 17.535 P2(1)/c 0.185 mmol Chlorobenzene H₂(BDC[CH₃]₄) H₂O₂ 0.185 mmol MO25 Cu(NO₃)₂.2.5H₂O DMF 90 112.0 90 23.880 16.834 18.389 P2(1)/c 0.084 mmol BPhDC 0.085 mmol Cu-Thio Cu(NO₃)₂.2.5H₂O DEF 90 113.6 90 15.4747 14.514 14.032 P2(1)/c 0.084 mmol thiophene dicarboxylic 0.085 mmol CIBDC1 Cu(NO₃)₂.2.5H₂O0.084 mmol DMF 90 105.6 90 14.911 15.622 18.413 C2/c H₂(BDCCl₂) 0.085 mmol MOF-101 Cu(NO₃)₂.2.5H₂O DMF 90 90 90 21.607 20.607 20.073 Fm3m 0.084 mmol BrBDC 0.085 mmol Zn₃(BTC)₂ ZnCl₂ DMF 90 90 90 26.572 26.572 26.572 Fm-3m 0.033 mmol EtOH H₃BTC Base 0.033 mmol Added MOF-j Co(CH₃CO₂)₂.4H₂O H₂O 90 112.0 90 17.482 12.963 6.559 C2 (1.65 mmol) H₃(BZC) (0.95 mmol) MOF-n Zn(NO₃)₂.6H₂O ethanol 90 90 120 16.711 16.711 14.189 P6(3)/mcm H₃(BTC) PbBDC Pb(NO₃)₂ DMF 90 102.7 90 8.3639 17.991 9.9617 P2(1)/n (0.181 mmol) Ethanol H₂(BDC) (0.181 mmol) Znhex Zn(NO₃)₂.6H₂O DMF 90 90 120 37.1165 37.117 30.019 P3(1)c (0.171 mmol) p-xylene H₃BTB ethanol (0.114 mmol) AS16 FeBr₂ DMF 90 90.13 90 7.2595 8.7894 19.484 P2(1)c 0.927 mmol anhydr. H₂(BDC) 0.927 mmol AS27-2 FeBr₂ DMF 90 90 90 26.735 26.735 26.735 Fm3m 0.927 mmol anhydr. H₃(BDC) 0.464 mmol AS32 FeCl₃ DMF anhydr. 90 90 120 12.535 12.535 18.479 P6(2)c 1.23 mmol Ethanol H₂(BDC) 1.23 mmol AS54-3 FeBr₂ DMF anhydr. 90 109.98 90 12.019 15.286 14.399 C2 0.927 n-propanol BPDC 0.927 mmol AS61-4 FeBr₂ Pyridine anhydr. 90 90 120 13.017 13.017 14.896 P6(2)c 0.927 mmol m-BDC 0.927 mmol AS68-7 FeBr₂ DMF anhydr. 90 90 90 18.3407 10.036 18.039 Pca2₁ 0.927 mmol Pyridine m-BDC 1.204 mmol Zn(ADC) Zn(NO₃)₂.6H₂O DMF 90 99.85 90 16.764 9.349 9.635 C2/c 0.37 mmol Chlorobenzene H₂(ADC) 0.36 mmol MOF-12 Zn(NO₃)₂.6H₂O Ethanol 90 90 90 15.745 16.907 18.167 Pbca Zn₂(ATC) 0.30 mmol H₄(ATC) 0.15 mmol MOF-20 Zn(NO₃)₂.6H₂O DMF 90 92.13 90 8.13 16.444 12.807 P2(1)/c ZnNDC 0.37 mmol Chlorobenzene H₂NDC 0.36 mmol MOF-37 Zn(NO₃)₂.6H₂O DEF 72.38 83.16 84.33 9.952 11.576 15.556 P-1 0.20 mmol Chlorobenzene H₂NDC 0.20 mmol Zn(NDC) Zn(NO₃)₂.6H₂O DMSO 68.08 75.33 88.31 8.631 10.207 13.114 P-1 (DMSO) H₂NDC Zn(NDC) Zn(NO₃)₂.6H₂O 90 99.2 90 19.289 17.628 15.052 C2/c H₂NDC Zn(HPDC) Zn(NO₃)₂.4H₂O DMF 107.9 105.06 94.4 8.326 12.085 13.767 P-1 0.23 mmol H₂O H₂(HPDC) 0.05 mmol Co(HPDC) Co(NO₃)₂.6H₂O DMF 90 97.69 90 29.677 9.63 7.981 C2/c 0.21 mmol H₂O/ethanol H₂ (HPDC) 0.06 mmol Zn₃(PDC)2.5 Zn(NO₃)₂.4H₂O DMF/CIBz 79.34 80.8 85.83 8.564 14.046 26.428 P-1 0.17 mmol H₂0/TEA H₂(HPDC) 0.05 mmol Cd₂ (TPDC)2 Cd(NO₃)₂.4H₂O Methanol/CHP 70.59 72.75 87.14 10.102 14.412 14.964 P-1 0.06 mmol H₂O H₂(HPDC) 0.06 mmol Tb(PDC)1.5 Tb(NO₃)₃.5H₂O DMF 109.8 103.61 100.14 9.829 12.11 14.628 P-1 0.21 mmol H₂O/ethanol H₂(PDC) 0.034 mmol ZnDBP Zn(NO₃)₂.6H₂O MeOH 90 93.67 90 9.254 10.762 27.93 P2/n 0.05 mmol dibenzylphosphate 0.10 mmol Zn₃(BPDC) ZnBr₂ DMF 90 102.76 90 11.49 14.79 19.18 P21/n 0.021 mmol 4,4′BPDC 0.005 mmol CdBDC Cd(NO₃)₂.4H₂O DMF 90 95.85 90 11.2 11.11 16.71 P21/n 0.100 mmol Na₂SiO₃ (aq) H₂(BDC) 0.401 mmol Cd-mBDC Cd(NO₃)₂.4H₂O DMF 90 101.1 90 13.69 18.25 14.91 C2/c 0.009 mmol MeNH₂ H₂(mBDC) 0.018 mmol Zn₄OBNDC Zn(NO₃)₂.6H₂O DEF 90 90 90 22.35 26.05 59.56 Fmmm 0.041 mmol MeNH₂ BNDC H₂O₂ Eu(TCA) Eu(NO₃)₃.6H₂O DMF 90 90 90 23.325 23.325 23.325 Pm-3n 0.14 mmol Chlorobenzene TCA 0.026 mmol Tb(TCA) Tb(NO₃)₃.6H₂O DMF 90 90 90 23.272 23.272 23.372 Pm-3n 0.069 mmol Chlorobenzene TCA 0.026 mmol Formate Ce(NO₃)₃.6H₂O H₂O 90 90 120 10.668 10.667 4.107 R-3m 0.138 mmol Ethanol Formaic acid 0.43 mmol FeCl₂.4H₂O DMF 90 90 120 8.2692 8.2692 63.566 R-3c 5.03 mmol Formic acid 86.90 mmol FeCl₂.4H₂O DEF 90 90 90 9.9364 18.374 18.374 Pbcn 5.03 mmol Formic acid 86.90 mmol FeCl₂.4H₂O DEF 90 90 90 8.335 8.335 13.34 P-31c 5.03 mmol Formic acid 86.90 mmol NO330 FeCl₂.4H₂O formamide 90 90 90 8.7749 11.655 8.3297 Pnna 0.50 mmol Formic acid 8.69 mmol NO332 FeCl₂.4H₂O DIP 90 90 90 10.0313 18.808 18.355 Pbcn 0.50 mmol Formic acid 8.69 mmol NO333 FeCl₂.4H₂O DBF 90 90 90 45.2754 23.861 12.441 Cmcm 0.50 mmol Formic acid 8.69 mmol NO335 FeCl₂.4H₂O CHF 90 91.372 90 11.5964 10.187 14.945 P21/n 0.50 mmol Formic acid 8.69 mmol NO336 FeCl₂.4H₂O MFA 90 90 90 11.7945 48.843 8.4136 Pbcm 0.50 mmol Formic acid 8.69 mmol NO13 Mn(Ac)₂.4H₂O Ethanol 90 90 90 18.66 11.762 9.418 Pbcn 0.46 mmol Bezoic acid 0.92 mmol Bipyridine 0.46 mmol NO29 Mn(Ac)₂.4H₂O DMF 120 90 90 14.16 33.521 33.521 P-1 MOF-0 Like 0.46 mmol H₃BTC 0.69 mmol Mn(hfac)₂ Mn(Ac)₂.4H₂O Ether 90 95.32 90 9.572 17.162 14.041 C2/c (O₂CC₆H₅) 0.46 mmol Hfac 0.92 mmol Bipyridine 0.46 mmol BPR43G2 Zn(NO₃)₂.6H₂O DMF 90 91.37 90 17.96 6.38 7.19 C2/c 0.0288 mmol CH₃CN H₂BDC 0.0072 mmol BPR48A2 Zn(NO₃)₂ 6H₂O DMSO 90 90 90 14.5 17.04 18.02 Pbca 0.012 mmol Toluene H₂BDC 0.012 mmol BPR49B1 Zn(NO₃)₂ 6H₂O DMSO 90 91.172 90 33.181 9.824 17.884 C2/c 0.024 mmol Methanol H₂BDC 0.048 mmol BPR56E1 Zn(NO₃)₂ 6H₂O DMSO 90 90.096 90 14.5873 14.153 17.183 P2(1)/n 0.012 mmol n-propanol H₂BDC 0.024 mmol BPR68D10 Zn(NO₃)₂ 6H₂O DMSO 90 95.316 90 10.0627 10.17 16.413 P2(1)/c 0.0016 mmol Benzene H₃BTC 0.0064 mmol BPR69B1 Cd(NO₃)₂ 4H₂O DMSO 90 98.76 90 14.16 15.72 17.66 Cc 0.0212 mmol H₂BDC 0.0428 mmol BPR73E4 Cd(NO₃)₂ 4H₂O DMSO 90 92.324 90 8.7231 7.0568 18.438 P2(1)/n 0.006 mmol Toluene H₂BDC 0.003 mmol BPR76D5 Zn(NO₃)₂ 6H₂O DMSO 90 104.17 90 14.4191 6.2599 7.0611 Pc 0.0009 mmol H₂BzPDC 0.0036 mmol BPR80B5 Cd(NO₃)₂.4H₂O DMF 90 115.11 90 28.049 9.184 17.837 C2/c 0.018 mmol H₂BDC 0.036 mmol BPR80H5 Cd(NO₃)₂ 4H₂O DMF 90 119.06 90 11.4746 6.2151 17.268 P2/c 0.027 mmol H₂BDC 0.027 mmol BPR82C6 Cd(NO₃)₂ 4H₂O DMF 90 90 90 9.7721 21.142 27.77 Fdd2 0.0068 mmol H₂BDC 0.202 mmol BPR86C3 Co(NO₃)₂ 6H₂O DMF 90 90 90 18.3449 10.031 17.983 Pca2(1) 0.0025 mmol H₂BDC 0.075 mmol BPR86H6 Cd(NO₃)₂.6H₂O DMF 80.98 89.69 83.412 9.8752 10.263 15.362 P-1 0.010 mmol H₂BDC 0.010 mmol Co(NO₃)₂ 6H₂O NMP 106.3 107.63 107.2 7.5308 10.942 11.025 P1 BPR95A2 Zn(NO₃)₂ 6H₂O NMP 90 102.9 90 7.4502 13.767 12.713 P2(1)/c 0.012 mmol H₂BDC 0.012 mmol CuC₆F₄O₄ Cu(NO₃)₂.2.5H₂O DMF 90 98.834 90 10.9675 24.43 22.553 P2(1)/n 0.370 mmol Chlorobenzene H₂BDC(OH)₂ 0.37 mmol Fe Formic FeCl₂.4H₂O DMF 90 91.543 90 11.495 9.963 14.48 P2(1)/n 0.370 mmol Formic acid 0.37 mmol Mg Formic Mg(NO₃)₂.6H₂O DMF 90 91.359 90 11.383 9.932 14.656 P2(1)/n 0.370 mmol Formic acid 0.37 mmol MgC₆H₄O₆ Mg(NO₃)₂.6H₂O DMF 90 96.624 90 17.245 9.943 9.273 C2/c 0.370 mmol H₂BDC(OH)₂ 0.37 mmol Zn C₂H₄BDC ZnCl₂ DMF 90 94.714 90 7.3386 16.834 12.52 P2(1)/n MOF-38 0.44 mmol CBBDC 0.261 mmol MOF-49 ZnCl₂ DMF 90 93.459 90 13.509 11.984 27.039 P2/c 0.44 mmol CH₃CN m-BDC 0.261 mmol MOF-26 Cu(NO₃)₂.5H₂O DMF 90 95.607 90 20.8797 16.017 26.176 P2(1)/n 0.084 mmol DCPE 0.085 mmol MOF-112 Cu(NO₃)₂.2.5H₂O DMF 90 107.49 90 29.3241 21.297 18.069 C2/c 0.084 mmol Ethanol o-Br-m-BDC 0.085 mmol MOF-109 Cu(NO₃)₂.2.5H₂O DMF 90 111.98 90 23.8801 16.834 18.389 P2(1)/c 0.084 mmol KDB 0.085 mmol MOF-111 Cu(NO₃)₂.2.5H₂O DMF 90 102.16 90 10.6767 18.781 21.052 C2/c 0.084 mmol Ethanol o-BrBDC 0.085 mmol MOF-110 Cu(NO₃)₂.2.5H₂O DMF 90 90 120 20.0652 20.065 20.747 R-3/m 0.084 mmol thiophene dicarboxylic 0.085 mmol MOF-107 Cu(NO₃)₂.2.5H₂O DEF 104.8 97.075 95.206 11.032 18.067 18.452 P-1 0.084 mmol thiophene dicarboxylic 0.085 mmol MOF-108 Cu(NO₃)₂.2.5H₂O DBF/methanol 90 113.63 90 15.4747 14.514 14.032 C2/c 0.084 mmol thiophene dicarboxylic 0.085 mmol MOF-102 Cu(NO₃)₂.2.5H₂O DMF 91.63 106.24 112.01 9.3845 10.794 10.831 P-1 0.084 mmol H₂(BDCCl₂) 0.085 mmol Clbdc1 Cu(NO₃)₂.2.5H₂O DEF 90 105.56 90 14.911 15.622 18.413 P-1 0.084 mmol H₂(BDCCl₂) 0.085 mmol Cu(NMOP) Cu(NO₃)₂.2.5H₂O DMF 90 102.37 90 14.9238 18.727 15.529 P2(1)/m 0.084 mmol NBDC 0.085 mmol Tb(BTC) Tb(NO₃)₃.5H₂O DMF 90 106.02 90 18.6986 11.368 19.721 0.033 mmol H₃BTC 0.033 mmol Zn₃(BTC)₂ ZnCl₂ DMF 90 90 90 26.572 26.572 26.572 Fm-3m Honk 0.033 mmol Ethanol H₃BTC 0.033 mmol Zn₄O(NDC) Zn(NO₃)₂.4H₂O DMF ethanol 90 90 90 41.5594 18.818 17.574 aba2 0.066 mmol 14NDC 0.066 mmol CdTDC Cd(NO₃)₂.4H₂O DMF 90 90 90 12.173 10.485 7.33 Pmma 0.014 mmol H₂O thiophene 0.040 mmol DABCO 0.020 mmol IRMOF-2 Zn(NO₃)₂.4H₂O DEF 90 90 90 25.772 25.772 25.772 Fm-3m 0.160 mmol o-Br-BDC 0.60 mmol IRMOF-3 Zn(NO₃)₂.4H₂O DEF 90 90 90 25.747 25.747 25.747 Fm-3m 0.20 mmol Ethanol H₂N-BDC 0.60 mmol IRMOF-4 Zn(NO₃)₂.4H₂O DEF 90 90 90 25.849 25.849 25.849 Fm-3m 0.11 mmol [C₃H₇O]₂-BDC 0.48 mmol IRMOF-5 Zn(NO₃)₂.4H₂O DEF 90 90 90 12.882 12.882 12.882 Pm-3m 0.13 mmol [C₅H₁₁O]₂-BDC 0.50 mmol IRMOF-6 Zn(NO₃)₂.4H₂O DEF 90 90 90 25.842 25.842 25.842 Fm-3m 0.20 mmol [C₂H₄]-BDC 0.60 mmol IRMOF-7 Zn(NO₃)₂.4H₂O DEF 90 90 90 12.914 12.914 12.914 Pm-3m 0.07 mmol 1,4NDC 0.20 mmol IRMOF-8 Zn(NO₃)₂.4H₂O DEF 90 90 90 30.092 30.092 30.092 Fm-3m 0.55 mmol 2,6NDC 0.42 mmol IRMOF-9 Zn(NO₃)₂.4H₂O DEF 90 90 90 17.147 23.322 25.255 Pnnm 0.05 mmol BPDC 0.42 mmol IRMOF-10 Zn(NO₃)₂.4H₂O DEF 90 90 90 34.281 34.281 34.281 Fm-3m 0.02 mmol BPDC 0.012 mmol IRMOF-11 Zn(NO₃)₂.4H₂O DEF 90 90 90 24.822 24.822 56.734 R-3m 0.05 mmol HPDC 0.20 mmol IRMOF-12 Zn(NO₃)₂.4H₂O DEF 90 90 90 34.281 34.281 34.281 Fm-3m 0.017 mmol HPDC 0.12 mmol IRMOF-13 Zn(NO₃)₂.4H₂O DEF 90 90 90 24.822 24.822 56.734 R-3m 0.048 mmol PDC 0.31 mmol IRMOF-14 Zn(NO₃)₂.4H₂O DEF 90 90 90 34.381 34.381 34.381 Fm-3m 0.17 mmol PDC 0.12 mmol IRMOF-15 Zn(NO₃)₂.4H₂O DEF 90 90 90 21.459 21.459 21.459 Im-3m 0.063 mmol TPDC 0.025 mmol IRMOF-16 Zn(NO₃)₂.4H₂O DEF 90 90 90 21.49 21.49 21.49 Pm-3m 0.0126 mmol NMP TPDC 0.05 mmol FeBr₂ 0.927 mmol DMF BDC 0.927 mmol 1 Propanol FeCl₃.6H₂O DMF BDC 1.23 mmol Ethanol Mg(NO₃)₂.6H₂O DMF DHBC 0.185 mmol Zn(NO₃)₂.4H₂O DMF 90 90 120 25.9 25.9 6.8 R-3 0.20 mmol i-Propanol DHBC 0.10 mmol Mn(ClO₄)₂.6H₂O DMF DHBC 0.065 mmol i-Propanol Tb(NO₃)₃.5H₂O DMF DHBC 0.050 mmol i-Propanol ADC Acetylene dicarboxylic acid NDC Naphtalene dicarboxylic acid BDC Benzene dicarboxylic acid ATC Adamantane tetracarboxylic acid BTC Benzene tricarboxylic acid BTB Benzene tribenzoate MTB Methane tetrabenzoate ATB Adamantane tetrabenzoate ADB Adamantane dibenzoate BPDC 4,4-Biphenyldicarboxylic acid DHBC 2,5-Dihydroxyterephthalic acid Examples for the synthesis of these materials as such can, for example, be found in: J. Am. Chem. Soc. 123 (2001) pages 8241 seq. or in Acc. Chem. Res. 31 (1998) pages 474 seq., which are fully encompassed in the present application.

The separation of the framework materials from the mother liquor of the crystallization can be achieved by procedures known in the art such as solid-liquid separations, centrifugation, extraction, filtration, membrane filtration, cross-flow filtration, flocculation using flocculation adjuvants (non-ionic, cationic and anionic adjuvants) or by the addition of pH shifting additives such as salts, acids or bases, by flotation, as well as by evaporation of the mother liquor at elevated temperature and/or in vacuo and concentrating of the solid. The material obtained in this step is typically a fine powder and cannot be used for most practical applications, e.g., in catalysis, where shaped bodies are required.

The separated framework materials may be compounded, melted, extruded, co-extruded, pressed, spinned, foamed and granulated according to processes known within the processing of plastics, respectively.

One advantage of the process according to the present invention is that the polyoxyalkylene alcohols obtainable have a low, preferred degree of alkoxylation. The alcohols comprise generally 1 to 5 alkoxy units, preferably 1 to 3 alkoxy units, more preferably 1 or 2 alkoxy units, in particular 1 alkoxy unit.

The polyoxyalkylene alcohols which are obtainable according to the present invention lend themselves for a number of applications. Non-limiting examples include polyurethane-foams, lubricating liquids, hydraulic fluid, carrier liquid, tenside and flotation oil.

The invention is now illustrated by way of the following examples which are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Preparation of MOF-5

Molar Starting Material Amount Calculated Experimental terephthalic acid  12.3 mmol 2.04 g 2.34 g Zinc nitrate-tetra  36.98 mmol 9.67 g 9.66 g hydrate Diethylformamide 2568.8 mmol 282.2 g  282.2 g  (Merck)

The above-mentioned amounts of the starting materials were dissolved in a beaker in the order diethylformamide, terephthalic acid and zinc nitride. The resulting solution was transferred into two autoclaves (250 ml) with teflon covered inner walls.

The crystallization occurred at 105° C. over 68 hours. Subsequently, the orange solvent, together with the red crystals, was transferred into a beaker, and the suspension is filtered unter an N2 atmosphrere. The suspension was washed with 3 ml of chloroform before being activated in vacuo. There were obtained 2.3 g of product.

Example 2

2,5-Dihydroxyterephthalic acid (19 mg, 0,10 mmol) and Zn(NO₃)₂.4H₂O (53 mg, 0.20 mmol) were dissolved in a mixed solution of DMF (2.0 mL), PrOH(0.10 mL) and water (0.10 mL), which was placed in a pyrex tube (10 mm×70 mm). The tube was frozen and evacuated, and flame sealed under vacuum. The tube was heated to 105° C. at 2° C./min, held for 20 hours, then cooled to room temperature at 2° C./min. Yellow needle crystals were collected and washed with DMF (3×5 mL). Yield: 26 mg, 81% based on the 2,5-dihydroxyterephthalic acid.

Example 3 Alkoxylation of i-Tridecanol N with Propylene Oxide

i-Tridecanol N (4,8 g corresponding to 0.024 mole) and 0.8 g of the catalyst prepared according to Example 1 were given into an autoclave. Subsequently, the autoclave was filled with 12 g propylene oxide (0.207 mole). The reaction was carried out at 135° C., and in total 9.4 mole propylene oxide/mole starting alcohol were reacted to obtain 18.7 g of product.

Example 4 Alkoxylation of 2-Propylheptanol with Ethylene Oxide

2-Propylheptanol (12.67 g corresponding to 0.08 mole) and 0.49 g of the catalyst prepared according to Example 2 were given into an autoclave. Subsequently, the autoclave was filled with 7.05 g ethylene oxide (0.16 mole). The reaction was carried out at 135° C. over 10 h, before the autocalve was cooled to 50° C., at which temperature the reaction mixture was stirred for another 3 h. In total 3.74 mole ethylene oxide/mole starting alcohol were reacted, to obtain 27.98 g of product. 

1. A process, which comprises: alkoxylating a monool with at least one alkoxylating agent to obtain a polyoxyalkylene alcohol comprising 1 to 5 alkoxy units in the presence of a catalyst comprising a metallo-organic framework material of metal ions and at least bidentate coordinately bound organic ligands, wherein the bidentate coordinately bound organic ligands are selected from the group consisting of an hydroxy-substituted aromatic mononuclear polycarboxylic acid, an hydroxyl-substituted polynuclear aromatic polycarboxylic acid, an hydroxyl-substituted aromatic mononuclear polycarboxylic acid comprising at least one heteroatom, an hydroxy-substituted aromatic polynuclear polycarboxylic acid comprising at least one heteroatom, and combinations thereof.
 2. The process according to claim 1, wherein the metal ion is selected from the group consisting of any one elements of Groups 1 to 18, and combinations thereof of the periodic table of the elements.
 3. The process according to claim 1, wherein the bidentate organic ligand is 2,5-dihydroxyterephthalic acid.
 4. The process according to claim 1, wherein the metallo-organic framework material exhibits a specific surface area, as determined via adsorption, of >20 m²/g.
 5. The process according to claim 1, wherein the alkoxylation agent is selected from the group consisting of a monofunctional epoxide having 2 to 30 carbon atoms, a multifunctional epoxide having 2 to 30 carbon atoms, and mixtures thereof.
 6. The process according to claim 5, wherein the epoxide is selected from the group consisting of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, a butylene oxide, and mixtures thereof.
 7. A method of using an alcohol obtained by the process as claimed in claim 1, which comprises: preparing a tenside, a flotation oil, a lubricating liquid, a hydraulic fluid, a carrier liquid or a polyurethane foam comprising the alcohol.
 8. The method of using according to claim 7 where the alcohol is selected from monools of linear and branched alkyl groups having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, which alkyl groups may carry one or more aryl substituents, of homo- and polynuclear aromatic groups having 4 to 30 carbon atoms, which aromatic groups may carry one or more alkyl substituents, and of linear and branched alkenyl groups having 2 to 30 carbon atoms and which alkenyl groups may carry one or more aryl substituents. 